The 23-year-old officer was shot dead on duty alongside her Greater Manchester Police colleague PC Fiona Bone last month in an ambush while investigating a reported burglary.

Members of the public and office workers joined police officers from around the country in bowing their heads as a mark of respect as the funeral cortege passed through the silent city streets.

Crowds line the streets as the coffin of Nicola Hughes is driven to Manchester Cathedral (Picture: Cathal McNaughton/Getty)

Six horses from GMP’s mounted unit led the cortege as it made its way through Deansgate on its journey to Manchester Cathedral, as mourners observed a 15-minute silence.

A guard of honour was provided by police motorcycle outriders during the procession ahead of the 13:00 BST service attended by an estimated 1,000 mourners.

Crowds gather outside the cathedral (Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty)

Opening the service, GMP Reverend Charles Nevin said: ‘We cannot change what has been, we cannot turn back the clock but we can show by our presence in this cathedral, and in the streets, homes and offices of this land, that we stand beside you.’

‘Nicola, in her dedication and professionalism, in the way she carried out her duties, showed that policing is not about muscle but reason, restraint and intelligence,’ he said.

‘Her family were so proud of Nicola. She was a fighter.’

The cortege bearing the body of the murdered policewoman arrives for a funeral service at Manchester Cathedral (Picture: AFP)

He added: ‘She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. We will never forget her great sacrifice.

‘The turnout here is wonderful; I don’t think I could be anywhere else but here today.’

The coffin of Nicola Hughes is carried into Manchester Cathedral (Picture: Getty)

Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said a huge number of officers wanted to pay their respects.

‘Policing is a police family and there is a real desire for every officer from every force to pay their respects in the best way they could, whilst still delivering a 24-hour service,’ he said.

‘So officers from every force will be here today and I know a large number will be lining the route along with a large number of members of the public who will come out to pay their respects to their police officer.’

British police personnel at the funeral (Picture: AFP)

Dale Cregan, 29, is currently in police custody charged with the officers’ murders.

The funeral of 32-year-old PC Bone is due to be held at the cathedral on Thursday morning.